31 August 2005 – Chargé d’Affaires, a. i. (CDA) Ricardo M. Endaya of the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that he has strongly  advised other OFWs in Iraq to be “alert, careful and cautious” against threats of attack, as he requested the foreign employers of OFWs not to allow them to travel overland to work from campsites or worksites to other campsites and rely instead on helicopter transport if possible.

CDA Endaya issued this precautionary warning after the roadside blast by an improvised explosive device (IED) last 24 August 2005 in an area between Tikrit and Baqubah near Kirkuk, killed OFW Federico Samson and injured fellow OFWs Roderick Tayo and Pedro Galila, who were released from hospital after treatment.

CDA Endaya also reported that OFWs Tayo and Galila have signified their intention to stay in Iraq despite the attack and continue working for their employers.  CDA Endaya said that the Embassy will issue OFWs Tayo and Galila new passports in compliance with regulations on passport replacement as their passports were lost during the attack.

CDA Endaya further reported that the remains of OFW Samson are still in Baghdad and the management of Lucent Technologies and Premise Networks International (PNI) will transport the remains to Kuwait within the week.

CDA Endaya said that the Embassy will continue to coordinate with Lucent Technologies and PNI to ensure the speedy return of OFW Samson’s remains back to the Philippines and payment of outstanding salaries and other employee benefits.

At the same time, CDA Endaya reiterated to the OFWs in Iraq the offer of assistance by the Philippine Government for their voluntary repatriation. END